Mother and Daughter Amongst York’s Class of ‘23

A mother and daughter are amongst the proud members of the York College Class of 2023. It is not completely unusual for parent-child graduates here at York, but it is always a special treat to share.

At 22, Samori Ferdinand is a traditionally aged graduating student. Her mother, a non-traditional college student. But what they have in common beyond the obvious is that they are both excited to be graduating from college, from York College to be exact. Ms. Ferdinand majored in Pharmaceutical Sciences, where she excelled.

Shana Corbett, the mother, earned her bachelor of science in Business Administration in December 2022. A graduate of John Jay High School of Law, in Brooklyn years ago, Corbett aspired to college, but motherhood took priority.

“As a mom, my children became my main focus and pursuing a higher education was put on hold,” she said. “As my children grew my attention turned to higher education.”

But while she was rearing her children, Ms. Corbett was instilling the value of education even as she dreamed of someday returning to complete her goal of a college degree. Samori took the admonitions to heart.

“From a young age I invested much time into doing well in school because learning was something I am passionate about, I always saw the importance of making my family proud,” said Ferdinand. “I graduated Richmond Hill High School after 3.5 years. There I was part of their Criminology and Forensics pathway. I graduated with $20,000+ award money from various CUNY and SUNY college programs and committed to University at Albany with the intention of graduating with a degree in Forensic Chemistry.”

But plans sometimes change and York was the beneficiary of this one. Ferdinand felt she would receive more personalized support elsewhere and transferred from Albany to York. “I decided to transfer to York to pursue Pharmaceutical Science,” said Ferdinand, who quickly found community at York College settled in for success.

“Since being at York, I've had access to a wide range of courses and I was inducted into the York College Chapter National Honor Society in 2020,” she said. “I joined Center for Students with Disability, which has been instrumental in providing me with a comfortable and equal opportunity learning experience.”

Ferdinand added that she engaged in one-on-one independent course “with an amazing Professor Zhu Zhou,” where she was able to analyze and extrapolate cannabis-related pharmacokinetic data. 

“I have had access to various Professors who are chemical experts who have greatly influenced my experience at York college,” said Ferdinand. “When my mom introduced the idea of attending York college with me, I strongly urged her to pursue it. There was no hesitation to my excitement for her as growing up, my parents provided a life for my siblings and [me], while working jobs they disliked or didn't pay enough. I always knew my mom wanted to pursue higher education however; she put this aside to raise [us].”

Dr. Zhou for her part, has high hopes for Ferdinand’s future in the pharmaceutical sciences. "I had the privilege of working with Samori on my research project,” said Dr. Zhou. “Her exceptional attention to detail, sense of responsibility, and ability to quickly grasp new concepts have made our collaboration truly enjoyable. It has been a pleasure to witness her dedication and commitment to the research project. I am confident that her outstanding attributes and passion for learning will undoubtedly contribute to her future success."

The mother-daughter duo would become a mutual support system with the daughter becoming the cheerleader for the mother’s education even as the mom continued to cheer her offspring. The Southeast Queens residents show how it’s done.

“I was honored to have the opportunity to return my support for her by accepting this opportunity with open arms,” said pharma grad, Samori of supporting her mother’s college efforts. “Since we have been at York College we have experienced so much together! We’ve stayed up late studying for finals, attended a few York events together and supported each other academically. I've seen her reach achievements that were once only thoughts for her, and this has inspired me greatly.” 

Ferdinand is now planning a life in the pharmaceutical industry. “Looking to the future I am looking to pursue graduate studies,” she promised. “I am hoping to obtain a career further analyzing Pharmacokinetic data and studying Cannabis as a therapeutic drug.” 

Mom Shana Corbett, enjoyed the process of graduating with her classmates with the opportunity to indulge in the formalities of Commencement with her daughter.

“As my children grew, my attention on higher education returned and I graduated from Long Island University, Brooklyn, as a Certified Surgical Technologist,” said Corbett, who used that certificate to work as a Transitional Case Manager and Assistant Director over an eight-year span. And although she was finding success in her job, something was still missing.

“When [I was] promoted to Assistant Director with only a high school diploma, I realized that for me to move forward in my career I needed a higher education, and I enrolled into Queensborough Community College and graduated in 2019,” she said.

My daughter Samori was a big influence on me considering and returning to achieve my bachelors especially at York which she currently attended,” said Corbett. “I enrolled at York College in the spring of 2020 and am now a graduate.”

Corbett discovered a gold mine in business assistance right on the York College campus.

“final semester enrolled into Professor Mountrane’s "Introduction to Marketing" course I approached her to review a business idea that came to me, and she referred me to York College Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Since walking in the doors of the SBDC under the direction of Director Harry Wells my career has been heading towards business in management and marketing as well as finance, and economic development.”

The SBDC is a statewide program that provides small business owners and would-be entrepreneurs with advice and help with business plans and loan applications to get started or expand. The Queens site has been on York’s campus for more than 30 years.

“My experience while attending CUNY York has turned into one of the best decisions I have made, from the course studies required to having the opportunities to participate and complete the Bloomberg Launch Program, Resort Worlds, and former New Orleans Mayor Mark Morial, Gumbo University Leadership Program, and EverUp Marketing Program,” Corbett reflected.

She added that these experiences helped build her confidence.

“With all that said I can thank God, thank my past from birth for preparing me for my future and finally, thank you" to my children Alexius, Eden (Eagle Mom) and now Jade, but especially Samori for being the influence on this life changing decision,” she said.